A few days ago Tarxien clients of HSBC received a note from Ray Briffa, Head of Branch Banking and Deputy Head of Personal Financial Services, which said: “Following careful consideration and after having reviewed customer usage, the growth of alternative methods of banking, and suitability of premises, we have come to a decision to close our branch at Tarxien as of 15 December 2010.”

May I ask the bank specifically whether it has taken into consideration the elderly local clients who have been faithful to the bank ever since it opened and who not only have no knowledge of Internet Banking but are also neither in a position to travel to another village? It is true that the ATM machine will remain but once again not every elderly person feels secure using it, especially nowadays when aggressors are targeting the elderly.

If HSBC’s decision is final, I appeal to our local council to take this matter in hand and if no solution is found to approach other banks that might be more interested in the welfare of our senior citizens.

Alfred Massa

TARXIEN